If so, why do some christians claim that there is no such thing as an atheist? Is this some way to deny our existence? It is extremely insulting to be told by other people that you do not exist.
An atheist is one who has no beliefs in any god(s). This is very different from a belief that there are no god(s). Do christians see the difference? or not?
2007-03-04 13:34:07 · 8 answers · asked by CC 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
An atheist has no beliefs in gods. An atheist does not necessarily believe there are no gods. I am an atheist that has no beliefs in gods, because there simply is no reason to believe in something that has no evidence to support its existence. Show me the evidence that is satisfactory, and I'm open to it. But until then, I have no beliefs in gods.
2007-03-05 15:11:32 · update #1
Most of them THINK they do... they have their own definitions for it so they can rationalize someone who doesn't believe in their petty god out of existence. It's called denial. It's called demonizing those who would DARE have a dissenting opinion.
If there's no such thing as an atheist, then people like Penn & Teller, Richard Dawkins, James Randi, Michael Shermer, Sir Ian McKellen, David Cross, George Carlin, Angelina Jolie, Todd McFarlane, Joss Whedon, Billy Joel, Paula Poundstone, Julia Sweeney, Jodie Foster, Bruce Lee, Gene Roddenberry, Bill Gates, Lance Armstrong, Janeane Garofalo, Tom Leykis, Joe Rogan, Rodney Dangerfield, etc. have a LOT of explaining to do.
(Yes. They're ALL atheists, and I bet you know who at LEAST half of them are.)
2007-03-04 13:41:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Okay, here's the deal bud, a theist is someone who believes in a god of some sorts. An atheist is the opposite of that. An atheist, if they say they do not believe in a god, then they are saying that they don't believe that there are any gods because they don't believe in the existence of a god. If you don't believe in any god, then you don't believe that they exist. It seems to me that you are very confused as to exactly what you believe as an Atheist. You are opposed to the belief that there is a god or gods. Therefore, being opposed to the belief that a god or gods exist, you believe that there is no god or gods. The two statements that you say above: An atheist is one who has no beliefs in any god(s) and This is very different from a belief that there are no god(s) mean exactly the same thing, just in different words. Atheists therefore do not believe in the existence of a god or gods, no matter how you word it or try to sugar coat it to make it look like you don't believe in the existence of only certain gods, by calling yourself and atheist you are saying that you do not believe in any god or gods. So, as a Christian, I can tell you that I do know the difference in what you say: or that there actually is no difference in what you say.
2007-03-04 21:49:10 · answer #2 · answered by Me 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Whoa. I thought I understood, until I read, "An atheist is one who has no beliefs in any god(s). This is very different from a belief that there are no god(s).". Now THAT'S confusing.
So, you're saying that you believe that god(s) can exist, but that you refuse to believe in it/them? That doesn't make sense.
Why would you not believe in something you believed existed?
Sorry if that sounded like an attack. I'm genuinely confused. I invite you to shoot me an E-mail if you have the time. I'd really like to understand this concept.
2007-03-04 21:42:50 · answer #3 · answered by WithUnveiledFaces 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, they don't. They'd like to believe that atheist don't exist. They'd also like to believe that Xianity is the only true religion, and that one day everyone will become Xian. In other words, they live in a fantasy world.
Yes, An atheist is one who has no beliefs in any god(s). No, Xians don't see the difference?
2007-03-04 21:45:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are insulted because some Christians don't believe you exist, at least by your definition? These are people you don't even know or care about and it still bothers you. I wonder how God feels every time you deny Him.
May God Bless you.
2007-03-04 21:43:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Only a select few are like that though i agree it is very annoying to be told by someone that you dont exist
2007-03-04 21:39:44 · answer #6 · answered by Krayden 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Since we don't believe in their favorite guy, they think it's witty or clever to respond by saying they don't believe we exist.
2007-03-05 00:54:08 · answer #7 · answered by Phil 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
you cant fight against something you dont believe in if you were an atheist you would not be here wasting your time with people like me...I know there are no werewolves, i dont set traps in my backyard just in case...I dont waste my time...you being here says your not an atheist
2007-03-04 21:40:46 · answer #8 · answered by Robert K 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋